Imamate

• Imamate


  The Shi'a belief in divinely ordained and guided leadership for the faith
• Imam


  One of the 12 leaders of Shi'a Islam (sent by Allah/not the same as Prophets)
• imam


  The leader of a mosque (note it's written in lower case)
• Caliph


  Sunni term for a leader of the faith
• Muhammad


  Final Prophet, whose leadership succession is believed by Shi'as to be the Imamate
• Mahdi


  Final Imam, believed to be hidden until the Day of Judgement
• Divine


  Source from which Imams get their ordination and judgement
• Ahl-ay-Bayt

  Term used to refer to family of Muhammad
• Beliefs about the importance of the Imamate

  One belief about Imams in Shi’a Islam is that Imams are perfect role models of submission to Allah. They have a perfect knowledge of the faith so anyone can trust they know what they’re talking about when they give advice on the Qur’an, its teachings, and interpretation.

  Another belief about Imams is that Imams are free from sin/error. This means that the advice an Imam gives can always be trusted as the correct one as they do not make mistakes.
• beliefs about the roles of the Imams

  They can give perfect advice on the meaning of the Qur’an and the accepted hadiths; they can give perfect advice on spiritual and religious matters too.

  They would be responsible for leading prayers to the community and would also receive and distribute khums (taxes) – in charge of collecting up that money and distributing it out fairly.
• Beliefs of the Twelver branch of Shi’a Islam

  The largest group of Shi’a Muslims who believe there have been 12 Imams in total. The last of the Imams is known as the Mahdi, who has been kept alive by God and hidden somewhere on earth, and who will return before the Day of Judgement to bring justice and equality.

  They believe that the Imams not only rule justly but are able to maintain and interpret the Qur’an and Shariah law without fault. In each generation there has always been an Imam who is the divinely appointed authority on all matters of faith and law and is part of the Ahl-ay-Bayt.
• Ways in which the Imamate influences Muslims

  It is important because people need divine guidance to know how to live correctly. The belief that the Imams of the household of the Prophet are the true leaders of Islam means that only the hadith accepted by the Imams are considered authentic – influences which customs and traditions they follow.

  The teaching about the hidden Imam means some Shi’as believe that great Shi’a scholars are being, or were, guided by the hidden Imam. Some expect the return of the Imam Mahdi as a sign of a coming of the end of the world and prepare for his coming.
• The Qur’an says, “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” This shows that Shi’a Muslims must obey the advice given by an Imam as they are of authority.
• The Qur’an says, “we made them leaders guiding by our command. And we inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah.” Shi’a Muslims would say that “them” is a clear reference to the Imams as political and spiritual leaders.